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Ever since beginning working from home, I've spent an inordinate amount of time at my neighborhood bar. It's the perfect storm of friendly bartenders (who often slip me free drinks), live human interaction, and wifi.

But instead of working, I'm often drawn into a conversation with my favorite bartender, Patrick. I wasn't attracted to him the first time I came in, but I've developed real affection for him in the months I've been setting up shop in this bar. But as much as I enjoyed his company, the other night I actually wanted to leave and get some work done.

When a bunch of guys came into the otherwise empty bar, I finally had a chance to slip out - until I ended up in conversation with another man, also named Patrick. Somehow I managed to warp a perfectly lovely conversation into the tale of a man I'd dated the previous summer, who'd left me things in my bike basket, and how I loved walking into surprises like that. Sweet move.

But I wasn't trying to win his attention; I really wanted to go home and work. And when a girl came into the bar and sat down next to the guy -- clearly at least friends -- it was as good a time as any to break for it.

I assumed that was the end.

But the next day as I was setting up my laptop, my favorite bartender mentioned that he had something for me. A surprise gift? From my crush?!

Then Patrick handed me a card with the name "Patrick" sealing the envelope . . . left for me from the man from the night. "I'm sorry for the abrupt end to an otherwise lovely conversation," he wrote, "I would love to see you again." He left me his email address. And he even spelled my name correctly.

I'm not sure what the appropriate facial expression is to receive one man's advance delivered by another man you're interested in, but I couldn't help but grin. Love the one you're with?

I’d like to respond with a note via bartender courier, but asking the man you wish would step up to facilitate a romance with someone else seems . . . I don’t know, not something one does.